January 11th, 2008 Rebus reading Posted by Melitsa in Good reads, play activities

Both children love books.

There are great heaps of them all over the house as they move them from one room to the other. I try to rotate the books monthly but the children always find their favourite ones and bring them out.

Naturally, as parents, we are very happy they love books as we read a lot ourselves. The way they treat the books though leaves us gasping all the time. Once read they are really happy to just throw them down or leave them on the couch/beanbag where they will always fall.

Hearing the spines hit the floor makes me cringe. We try to rescue the books and teach them to be gentle with them…but not very successfully. The youngest has found that he can ski across the kitchen floor with a hardback book if he gets a good run up. His eagle-eyed brother reminds him, ” Books are for reading!” So I know they hear my daily mantra.

Our newest problem is that we’re reading more library books and these books have to be returned. So we have a special place for them and special rules for them but ……….they are still books to my youngest and when they are in a pile of other books it just looks like fair game. (sigh) I’m happy to report no accidents…..so far.

The youngest, at two, pours over the books looking at the pictures and pointing out things. His brother will often read a version of the story to him. At moments like that your heart melts. They curl up on their beanbags or their other favourite place; on top of the bunk bed.

Our collection of children’s books have grown as family see the kids love books and give them all the time. Some get them from those book clubs at work with 70% off. But by far our favourite place is the local charity shop. My mum is really great a finding good reads there. Whenever we visit we need a separate suitcase to lug all the great books she’s found. Not that we complain… we love the new books to read and the fantastic prices. The books are in great condition.

Recently, both boys have gotten into Rebus books. Rebus books are words that are replaced by pictures. Here’s an example from the web.

We have a bible story book, Spot, Thomas and 3 other story books. Popular children’s activity magazines have a page or two as well. The Thomas and Spot books have words and sounds……….sigh. But they love them.

• The big guy can read to his brother and his brother presses the button.

• When I read and pause, the big guy can help with the story.

Usually, most group reading is me reading and the kids rolling around , fiddling, trying to turn the next page, headstands and occasionally sitting next to me to see what’s going on but when the rebus book is out I have two leaches next to me following the text, finger hovering for the sound or mouth open in anticipation to say the next picture.

“Rebus books have long been used by teachers and parents to help young children learn to read. Rebus books substitute pictures for the harder words that young students cannot yet identify or decode. Many children are also familiar with electronic interactive play-a-sound books that allow them to match and touch the rebus pictures and hear the characters speak, laugh, or make sounds. ”

Source: http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=273

If you never really thought about Rebus books you should try a few. If you’re interested in Rebus books try these places for two lists booklist

booklist at your local library. Rebus books are a great way to read with your child interacting at a young age. Rebus books vary in skill level from very simple to quite elaborate. Once in school your child might start making their own rebus book.

The rebus books don’t get dropped and are put back on the shelf after they are used.

I guess there is some hope for the other books in our house.

****What Rebus books do you have? *******

Melitsa Avila is a former teacher, mother of three boys and military wife who talks about living an intentional play lifestyle using practical and everyday play activities to do with the under 5s. She publishes related ebooks & newsletters. Melitsa is the host and producer of a weekly Early Childhood radio show: Raising Playful Tots bringing parents and carers together with Early childhood practitioners. Thanks for reading!

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